Albany Riverside Development
You may recall that when the revised planning application for the Albany Riverside development was submitted last August, the Friends lodged objections and sought additional benefits for Watermans Park. The application was considered and approved by Planning Committee on 5 February.
Thanks to the intervention of Councillors Dan Bowring, Max Mosley and John Stroud-Turp, access to water for the park has been secured. A standpipe will be provided at the development interface with the park (through a planning condition), together with pipework connecting to two further taps in the eastern section of the park (through an amendment to the s106 agreement). The applicant did not object. This is a very positive outcome and will materially help to improve the resilience of trees and planting during dry periods.
We were unsuccessful in our other requests: retention of three healthy trees at the park entrance; unrestricted access to toilets in the proposed café during opening hours; and provision of an additional ramp to improve accessibility for those with limited mobility. In relation to the trees, the Planning Officer advised that their proximity to the proposed basement excavation made removal necessary to facilitate the development, and noted that there would be a net increase in tree planting across the wider site.
Gardening Club – March Sessions
With the Lunar New Year and Spring Festival marking the turn of the season, we will be returning to some gentle gardening at the western entrance to the park.
We will be meeting at 2pm on Saturday afternoons in March to weed and tidy the flower beds in this area.
It’s a good opportunity to meet neighbours, support biodiversity, and enjoy some fresh air. Families are very welcome. Please wear suitable clothing and gloves, and bring tools if you have them (we will also have some to share). After the recent rainfall, the ground should be in good condition for light work.
The National Gallery: Art On Your Doorstep
Mark Pierce of the Creative Mile has successfully secured Brentford as one of 12 towns across the UK participating in this new national touring project.
Life-size framed reproductions of masterpieces from the National Gallery collection will be displayed across the town in a free outdoor exhibition. Up to 30 paintings will be reproduced in fine detail and installed in public spaces throughout Brentford.
Mark has been in touch about including works within Watermans Park and identifying suitable locations — which will be splendid. If you would like to imagine Georges Seurat’s Bathers at Asnières overlooking the Thames from Watermans Park, this gives a sense of how it might feel.
Art On Your Doorstep will launch during Creative Mile weekend (4 September) and will run until the end of February 2027.
Philip Jones
Chair, Friends of Watermans Park
chair@friendsofwatermanspark.org
19 February 2026